Life-saving apparatus



J. Picco LIFE SAVING APPARATUS July 2, 1929 Filed May 23. 1928 2sheets-shed 2 Patented July 2, 1929.

\ UNITED STATES JOHN ricco, on new Yonx, n. y,

mrasavnve APPARATUS,

Application' mea May 23,

This invention relates generally to life saving apparatus andtheimprovements are diyrected to novel means for supplying fresh air to theoccupants of alife boat regardless of the position thereof in the water.

Primarily, the object of the present invention is to provide a lifeboat, having an in` closed hull, with a` tubular member adapted tocommunicate between the interior of said hull and the atmosphereirrespective of the position of said hull.

Another object is to provide means for openinol and closing therespective ends of lsaid tu ular member so that a supplyof air may be.had within the hull of thelife boat.

Another object is the provision of means responsive to the movements ofthelife boat charge of water in the be readily removed.` l

As will presently appear the invention is to permit the entrance of airfor the occupants consumption wliileppreventing Water 'f rom entering.

Still another object ofthe invention is to provide means wherebyjanyaccidental distubular member may7 adapted to be associated with myimproved lite savingapparatus, describedand claimed in my allowedapplication Serial No. 93,168, tiled March 8, 1926, said apparatusincluding an, inclosed hull associated with certain right ing devices.In the instant invention means is provided for supplying fresh air tothe occupants of the craft regardless of thefposif tion thereof,-`thatis, evena" complete capsiz ing of the craft cannot endanger the lives of,the passengers since the very 'movements of the hull are communicatedto the air-supply means to the end that an abundance of fresh air may bepresent in the hullwere the same in la complete capsized position. l f

` With these objects inview, togetherWith others which will appear asthe description proceeds, the inventionresides "in `the novel formation,combination, and arrangementfof parts, all as willbe described morefully here inafter, illustrated in thedrawings, andpar ticularly pointedout in the claims.

In said drawings: p Figure 1 is a central, lonigtiidinal sectional viewof Vmy `improved life boat,partly in elevation, and illustrating myinvention associateditherewith.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view, taken substantially on the line2-4-2 of Figl. Y

Fig. 3 is a view like unto Fig. 2, but illustrating the craft in acomplete capsized condi- 192s.` semi No. 279,986.

tion with the air-supply ing with the atmosphere.`

Fig. a is a central longitudinal. sectional view ofmy novel form of air.supply means, somewhat enlarged, and detached from the hull of the lifeboat. i

means communicat- Fig. '-5 is atransverse sectional view taken on theline 5--5 of Fig.V 4t, depicting the closure means in close position;and 1 VFig. 6 is a modified form of airfsupply meansoperable' inresponse to the varying movements of the hull; and

Fig.` 7 is another form of valveelement. y Referring now morein detailto the accomu panymg drawings, wherein like characters ofreferencedencte similar parts throughout the several views, let 10represent thehull of the life-boat of suitable stability and staunchnessto withstand the abnormal strains at` tending itsuse, the same beingprovidedwith a deck 11, closing the hull with the exception of the hatch12 by which the passengers may enter and leave. Said hatch-12 is closedby a closure 13 and attached thereto by any wellknown means.

The interior `of the hull 10 is provided with suitable `conveniences tolighten the attend` ing privations of therefugees, and includes bunks14: and 15,each`being` provided with straps, as indicated at 1G, topreventundue jarring of the passengers during the extreme movementsofthe boat. Means for propelling the craft is provided in the forniof amanually-operable crank 17 and a pulley 18 to which 'any suitable motivepower maybe plied, the rotation of the propellershaft 19 being of coursecommunicated to the wheel`20 lofcated eXteriorly of thehull." The courseof the `craft' is guided by means of a rudder 21 operated bythe steeringwheel"22. The other details of" the life-boat are quite similar to that`disclosed in my PatentvNo. 1,683,409,

dated :September a, 1928, and includes the lifting rings 2,3 and 211 andrighting device denotedgenerally at 25. However, the air-sup ply means,noted in said patent has beenA imdeck 11fand the bottom or keelof theformer.

p Eaclryof said tubular members 26 is provided With an opening 27,(seeFig. t), arranged `intermediate the ends thereof, suit- ,ableclosure means 28 being provided`,lbear ing'a gasket 29', to .tightly'close said opening in the event water should enter said members. Saidclosure meansQS is preferably hingedly disposed, as indicated at30-'and-is--provided with a latch 31 to fasten the same in tightarrangement. "It will be noted on inspectionv of said Fig. 4 that boththe ends of said tubularmembers are lared, as shown` at 32 and" 3.3 thel internal contour. of' each conforming "to kfloat-like valves Stand 35arranged at the extremities o a reciprocatory member 3G,

the latter being longer than the tubularmembers as4 will. presentlyappear. ,Y

`Vhen the craft is in its normal position the lowerv ends. of thetnbularmembers will be beneath. the ,surfacev .ot the water and 'consequencethe4 pressureeXerted onthe valves of' the closure means 28,. However, itbecomes,necessaryv to consider another factor inlftheuse ofalte-boat,and. thatisthe substantially capsizing of. the same, thus cuttingoffthe, ainsupply andju-ltimately smothering the ocoupants,oi.theboatvVAccordingly, reference is had to Fig. 'wherein the diagrammaticjshowingof the hull,.illnstrates the same a, complete, capsized condition and.in this instance itvvill be Observed thatthe valve 34C nowA cooperateswith. the Hare 32 to Yclose this submerged.V end ofthe tubular memberswhile .Valve 3 5' selevated topermitthe entrance of air to, the interiorof the hullv as aforesaid.,

' Whi'lethepr'essure of thelwater closes the particular valive submergedthereimitwill be readily. nnderstood upon. inspection` of Fig. @that a;rocking'ofthel cnaft beyond'l an arciof ninetyfdegrees.wouldffree both`'ends from the Water' and' inlconse(pience,` gravity wouldv opi verateftlevalieswhen. the4 same .are ontoffthe watembnt aslfso'onaseither; end on the tubular membersentiS the. watenthepressureazt'oresa-idfbrings about the condition necessaryv to snpplfy freshfairto the interior ofthe hnll." I.

, In. practice. said openings, QZ willi be positioned above glienorma-1l vwater-line Vof the 1craftand in* thee'vent water.shouldfenter' the tnbularfmembersit. may be readily removedhyjpumping'or, .the like.` B'utin any event so longy astlie water-lineinthe bottom. portion of' the tubfnla'r members dofesg not rise abovethe openings ,-nfo, material damage Will'` accrue sincera clear passageis denedibetween the initferilor ofthe holland the atmosphere by way othe openings and the open ends of the rsaid tubularfmembers t 'i d.@there is shown` a form. oftubular member vS7', having its 'open endsextending beyond the deck and bottom of the craft, the same beingprovided with the usual opening and closure means, but the reciprocatorymember and itsv attached valves are not used. In this particularinstance the opening 27 is located to be'abovc the water-line of thevessel irrespective of the position thereof and hence the presence ofwater in the end submerged will not interfere with the passage ot airfrom one end ol the tubular member to the interior of the hull.

InrFg 7 a modified ilorm of valve 38 is shown, the same including anipple 3!) 'l or :d'- tachment to a rcciprocatory member 3G, the lowersides thercoilE being tapered. downwardly as indicated at 40, to presentila( sides adapted yto contact similar formed flares carried by saidreciprocatory member.

From the foregoing it is apparent. I have developed a lite-boatincluding air-supply means adapted.v to` operate regardless ol? theposition ot the boat and in, view of the gravitation reciprocation ofthe member 36 the. pumpingaction. of the valves, when out of the waterwill tend to expel 'fioul air from the hull.

Having thus fully described my invention, I hereby reserve the benefitof all changes inv form, arrangement, order, or use ofparls, :is itjisevident thatmany minor changes ma)v be made therein withont departingfrom the spirit oi"A the invention or the scope ot the following claims:

l.` In combination with a life boat having an inclosed hull, a tubularmember associated therewith and having both its ends extending beyondthe hull and' means rcsponsiif'e to the turning of'said hull for closingone end of. said tubular member.

2.. In combination with. a lite boat having an inclosed'liull, a.tubular member associated therewith and having its ends extending bevondthe hnll and' reciprocatory means rcsponsifve to thek turning of'saidhull lor closing one end of saidtubular member.

In combination with a life boat having an inclosed liull',.a tubularmember :1 rrnnged vertically therein and' havingits en dis cxtend- Aing*y beyond the hulll andi reciprocatory means responsive tof theturning ofl said hull for closing one end ofsaidtubul'ar member.

` 4'., In combination wit-li a life boat having an incloscd hull, atubular member associated therewith and having its ends extendingbeyon'd the hull', reciprocatory means responsive tothe'turning of saidhull 'for closing one end of said. tubular member and closure meansadapted to establish connnunicalion between the open end: ots'aidtubular member and the interior of the hnll.

5. In combination with :1. lille boat having an inclosedhull, a tubularmember associated therewith andhaving its ends extending bcl yond thehull, a reciprocatory member ar.- ranged within said tubular member,means positioned at both ends of said rcprooatory member and adapted toclose one end of said tubular member upon oapsizing of said hull andclosure means operable to establish com munieation between the interiorof the hull and the open end of said tubular member.

G. In combination with a life boat having an inelosed hull, a tubularmember associated therewith and extending beyond the exterioi of saidhull, the ends of said member being flared, a reoiprooatory memberpositioned within saidV tubular member, valve means earried by both endsof said reciprocatory member and adapted to normally close one end of.said tubular member, said reeiprocatory member being subjected to themovements of the hull to close the other end of said tubular member uponcapsizing ofthe latter and olosure operable to establish communicationb`etween the interior of the hull and the open end of said tubularmember. i

7. In a life saving apparatus embodying an'inclosed hull, a tubularmember having its ends extending beyond the exterior thereof, meansresponsive to the movements of the hull to olose one end of said tubularmember when the hull is in a substantially capsized condition and meansoperable to establish Acomu munioation between the open end of saidtubular member and the interior of the hull.

In testimony whereof I alix my signature.

JOHN rrooo.

